What's it worth - '86 cougar

Topic: What's it worth - '86 cougar (Read 2579 times) previous topic - next topic

What's it worth - '86 cougar

February 23, 2015, 12:08:04 PM

My dad happened to drive by a car this week, and let me know "it looks like one of those cars you like... lol." I called on it, and it's an 1986 cougar, 3.8 Auto with 40,000 original miles. Sounds like it was well equipped for the time, has a minty crack free dash, and no rust. It's sitting outside of a body shop, and the story goes that he was doing some work for someone and traded for the car and never got around to "hot rodding it". He says that its been sitting for probably 4 years, but he starts it yearly and drives it around the block to keep it working. He said that if I brought a battery, he guaranteed I'd be able to drive it home.

He's interested in getting rid of it and would accept offers for it. I tried to get him to price it, and he wouldn't. I don't like doing business this way, but I'm significantly interested in the car.

He sent me a few pics, and it looks to be in as good of condition as he says, in fact, the body only looks like it needs to be buffed and waxed. Interior is spotless.

What would you offer if you were in my shoes? I always thought my next one would be a turbo 5 speed, but there's fewer unmolested cars out there these days.

Thanks -

Geoff

What's it worth - '86 cougar

Reply #1 – February 23, 2015, 12:53:06 PM

I don't like it when someone won't give a price either. I usually throw out some ridiculous low price to see if that gets them to reveal their starting price. I think sometimes they think someone is going to offer way more than they really want for it.

What's it worth - '86 cougar

Reply #2 – February 23, 2015, 02:16:46 PM

There's an 83 "xr7" here for $18,000 with 25k miles. I saw an 86 with 3,500 miles and one small scratch go for $3500.

It really depends. A $500 car five years ago is going for 1k now. Throw out $1000 and see what they guys says.

What's it worth - '86 cougar

Reply #3 – February 23, 2015, 03:03:42 PM

Anything that starts, drives, and stops in my book is worth at LEAST $1000, no matter where you are.

What's it worth - '86 cougar

Reply #4 – February 23, 2015, 03:40:39 PM

I thought I'd walk in with a grand in my pocket and see how far that goes.

Thanks for the advice all!

What's it worth - '86 cougar

Reply #5 – March 17, 2015, 11:04:46 PM

Update. It didn't go very far. The story got very complex as I looked into it, it's actually a car he got via a mechanics lien and he needs $3800 to release the lien, then I would have to negotiate with the owner.

When I walked, two days later he called me back and said that he had the title and he'd deal for $1800. I have a hard time dealing with folks who mislead, so I'm soured on the whole thing.

It's just as well... With the winter thaw and all the runoff, we had a sump pump line burst and dump water into our finished basp00get for about an hour. I now have my summer project lined up

, so I am cooling on getting additional cars..

Geoff

What's it worth - '86 cougar

Reply #6 – March 18, 2015, 08:12:43 AM

No rust, nice interior, only 40k miles? I'd probably give $1800 for it if that's the only Cougar I could find. Yeah, the 3.8 is not ideal, but it'd be a good "back and fourth to work" car. Low miles, rust-free Cougars are pretty rare around here. I don't know about your area.

Douchieness begets douchieness though. If you think he's trying to scam you, say "Well, when I stopped by, I had cash-in-hand, ready to deal. Now I have about $1300 left. That's my offer"

Sucks about the sump pump. I used to want a house with a finished basp00get. But the more I hear stories like this, makes me content with the old boulder-hole under my house, lol.

What's it worth - '86 cougar

Reply #7 – March 18, 2015, 09:42:50 AM

I doubt it's going anywhere anytime soon. I may have another go at it in a month or so after the grass starts growing up around it and I get my house under control.

I do have a strong lead on an 88 also with a 3.8L, but I have to have it shipped to me from Florida. THAT guy has been over the top generous to work with!

Geoff

What's it worth - '86 cougar

Reply #8 – March 18, 2015, 11:50:04 AM

I would never push anyone out of a potential deal, but in case you decide not to pursue this, I wouldn't mind seeing some pics of it. But please know that I would never horn in on your deal. You would most likely have to give me the pics. I don't even know where you or the car is located at. Just putting a hand up just in case.

What's it worth - '86 cougar

Reply #9 – March 18, 2015, 09:01:36 PM

I was thinking the car $1500 when you said $3800. You said body shop, Is it original paint, not something resprayed???? Worried about hiding rust.

I definitely wouldnt pay over 2K for it, just depends how it looks in person. I paid $1400 for a very nice 88 LS V8.